Article August 24, 1963 Issue

WORDS OF CURRENT INTEREST

[The words in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly designated to be read in Christian Science churches on September 1, 1963.]

Hosanna (Matt. 21:9) (ho-zan'a—o as in obey, first a as in add, second as in sofa). The word is derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning "save now, we pray." Hosanna was also used interjectionally as a cry of acclamation and adoration.

Messias (John 1:41) (me-si' as—e as in silent, i as in ice, a as in account). This is the spelling found in the New Testament of the word "Messiah" found in Daniel 9:25, 26. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean literally "anointed," which bore the implication of "consecrated" or "set apart." The Hebrew prophets anticipated the coming of a Messiah, who, Christians are convinced, came in the person of Jesus the Christ.

The Lamb of God (John 1:29. 36) This epithet, twice used of Christ Jesus by John the Baptist, may well have been suggested by various Old Testament passages which indicate the apparent purity, simplicity, and innocence of a lamb which was nonetheless slaughtered (Jer. 11:19; Isa. 53: 7; Lev. 9:3,etc.).